Cancidas Side Effects

Note: This page contains information about the side effects of caspofungin. Some of the dosage forms included on this document may not apply to the brand name Cancidas.

Not all side effects for Cancidas may be reported. You should always consult a doctor or healthcare professional for medical advice. Side effects can be reported to the FDA here.

For the Consumer

Applies to caspofungin: intravenous powder for solution

In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by caspofungin (the active ingredient contained in Cancidas). In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.

If any of the following side effects occur while taking caspofungin, check with your doctor or nurse immediately:

More common

Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

blue lips, fingernails, or skin

blurred vision

changes in skin color

chest pain

confusion

convulsions (seizures)

cough

cracked lips

decreased urine

diarrhea

difficult or troubled breathing

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly

dry mouth

fever

headache

increased thirst

irregular heartbeat

irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing

loss of appetite

mood changes

muscle pain or cramps

nausea or vomiting

nervousness

numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips

pain or redness at the injection site

pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg

pale skin

pounding in the ears

rapid weight gain

shortness of breath

slow or fast heartbeat

sneezing

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth

Some of the side effects that can occur with caspofungin may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:

More common

Flushing, redness of skin

unusually warm skin

Incidence not known

Acid or sour stomach

back pain

belching

blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin

bumps on skin

difficulty in moving

dry, red, hot, or irritated skin

fear

flaking and falling off of skin

full or bloated feeling

heartburn

hives or welts

indigestion

joint or muscle pain

lack or loss of strength

muscle pain or stiffness

pressure in the stomach

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

redness of skin

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

sleeplessness

small red or purple spots on skin

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

swelling of abdominal or stomach area

trouble sleeping

unable to sleep

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to caspofungin: intravenous powder for injection

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included diarrhea (up to 27%), vomiting (up to 17%), nausea (up to 15%), and abdominal pain (up to 9%). Anorexia, abdominal distension, upper abdominal pain, constipation, and dyspepsia have been reported in less than 5% of patients. Pancreatitis has been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Other

Other side effects have included fever (up to 40%), infusion-related adverse reactions (defined as a systemic event, such as flushing, fever, chills, hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, dyspnea, tachypnea, rash, or anaphylaxis; up to 35%), chills (up to 23%), septic shock (up to 14%), aspergillosis (13%), peripheral edema (up to 11%), sepsis (up to 7%), mucosal inflammation (up to 6%), flu-like illness, malaise, pain, and warm sensation. Asthenia, fatigue, edema, flushing, and bacteremia have been reported in less than 5% of patients. Swelling has been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Hematologic

A 68-year-old male experienced reversible severe thrombocytopenia coincident with caspofungin (the active ingredient contained in Cancidas) therapy. He was admitted for shortness of breath, coughing, abdominal pain, and intermittent fever, which had persisted for 10 days. Two blood cultures obtained on admission revealed Candida albicans. He was given caspofungin 70 mg for 1 day, then 50 mg per day. One week after receiving caspofungin therapy, his platelet count dropped precipitously from 136 x 10(3)/mm3 to 24 x 10(3)/mm3, reaching a nadir at 3 x 10(3)/mm3 in 2 days. Caspofungin was discontinued, and his platelet count returned to a level above 150 x 10(3)/mm3 within 10 days.[Ref]

Hematological side effects have included decreased hemoglobin (up to 21%), decreased hematocrit (up to 18%), decreased white blood cell count (up to 12%), anemia (up to 11%), eosinophilia (2.3% to 3.2%), decreased platelets (1.5% to 3.1%), and hypoalbuminemia (common). Thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, febrile neutropenia, and neutropenia have been reported in less than 5% of patients.[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included respiratory failure (up to 20%), cough (up to 11%), pneumonia (up to 11%), pleural effusion (9%), dyspnea (up to 9%), and rales (7%). Tachypnea, epistaxis, and hypoxia have been reported in less than 5% of patients. Pulmonary edema, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and pulmonary infiltrates have been reported infrequently.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included hypotension (up to 20%), tachycardia (up to 8%), and hypertension (up to 6%). Arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, cardiac arrest, and myocardial infarction have been reported in less than 5% of patients.[Ref]

Hepatic

Reported elevations in ALT and AST were accompanied by the use of cyclosporine in some of the patients enrolled in the clinical trials.[Ref]

Hepatic side effects have included elevations in ALT (up to 18%), AST (up to 17%), blood bilirubin (up to 13%), and conjugated bilirubin (up to 8%). Hepatic failure, hepatomegaly, hepatotoxicity, hyperbilirubinemia, and jaundice have been reported in less than 5% of patients. Isolated cases of clinically significant hepatic dysfunction and hepatitis have also been reported. Hepatic necrosis has been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Local

Local side effects have included phlebitis (up to 25%), thrombophlebitis (11.3% to 15.7%), and infused vein complications (1.5% to 12%). Infusion site pain, infusion site pruritus, and infusion site swelling have been reported in less than 5% of patients.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Dermatological side effects have included rash (up to 23%), pruritus (up to 7%), decubitus ulcer (up to 5%), erythema (up to 5%), induration (3.1%), and sweating (1.3%). Petechiae, skin lesion, and urticaria have been reported in less than 5% of patients. At least one case of toxic epidermal necrolysis has been reported. Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and skin exfoliation have been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache (up to 15%) and paresthesia (1.3% to 3.1%). Convulsion, dizziness, somnolence, and tremor have been reported in less than 5% of patients.[Ref]

Renal

Renal side effects have included increased blood creatinine (up to 11%), increased blood urea nitrogen (up to 9%), nephrotoxicity (3%), and renal failure (less than 5%). Clinical renal events, regardless of causality, have been reported in 13% of patients. Clinically significant renal dysfunction has been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included anaphylaxis and possible histamine-mediated symptoms (including reports of rash, facial swelling, angioedema, pruritus, sensation of warmth, or bronchospasm).[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included urine positive for red blood cells (10%) and an increase in urine white blood cells (7.7%), protein (1.2% to 4.9%), and red blood cells (1.1% to 3.8%). Urinary tract infection and hematuria have been reported in less than 5% of patients.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included anxiety, confusional state, depression, and insomnia in less than 5% of patients.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included myalgia (3.1%) and musculoskeletal pain (1.3%). Arthralgia, back pain, and pain in extremity have been reported in less than 5% of patients.[Ref]

Professional resources

Related treatment guides

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